Tips for casual teaching
Casual teaching is not an easy job. Here are some tips to help you be as organised as you can be before and on the day!
be organised before students arrive
There is a lot to do before you start your casual day and you need to make sure you are on time get everything done before the students arrive. This can be made easier if you have a casual teaching preparation checklist so you know what you need to do and how much time you need to get organised.
You can include things such as:
You can include things such as:
- Read the school's casual teacher folder - check school policies, rules, reward system, class description etc.
- Check that all technologies in the classroom works (computer, internet, interactive whiteboard, iPad charged)
- Read the classroom teacher's instructions and look over any work he/she has set
- Have a folder of resources for each KLA and stage
- Introduce yourself to teacher(s) next door
- Make sure you have all the equipment, resources and materials you need for the day's lesson
Establish relationships and expectations
“As a casual teacher you have to make an impression in the first 10 minutes. I generally establish a routine by being in the room before the children arrive, and setting out the day’s work on the board in point form. This establishes me as the person-in-charge, and makes clear the day’s program. The class may be one where the students are reasonably self-directed and can work unassisted, or one where the lass has a rigid structure whereby the children often do not respond well to changes in routine. This often takes some time to determine and accommodate.” - Michele (in Lyons, Ford & Arthur-Kelly, 2011)
Some ways to do this:
Some ways to do this:
- Introduce yourself to the class - explain that you will be their teacher for the day and share some things about yourself
- Mark the roll and say hi to each student
- Ask the students to share with you special things about the class (e.g. class rules and routines)
- Make your expectations explicit - encourage correct behaviour
- Decide before the class begins what you will use to get students' attention (e.g. music, bell, clapping)
- Attempt to discover students' interests - play a 'get to know you' game as your first activity
Always have resources ready
As a casual teacher, you will not always have the classroom teacher's instructions and resources to follow. Therefore, it is important to always be prepared and have multi-level/stage lessons and resources ready. You can collect resources from other teachers who are willing to share. Keep your casual lessons simple and straightforward, so you can easily monitor the class.
Here are some things to consider:
Here are some things to consider:
- Be creative and fun
- Have a 'casual teaching kit' which contains coloured paper, A4 white paper, grid paper, lined paper, Bingo cards, tennis ball, music - simple items that can be adaptable to any age group
- Rewards - lollies, stickers, stamps, prizes, free time etc., do not use the teacher's reward system as students may rig the system
- Incorporate the use of ICT to engage students
- Visual aids - e.g. noise meter
- Play to your strengths - teach what you are good at
- Have a number of lesson plans and their resources for each KLA for every stage
- Have quick one period (approx. 50 minutes) activities for each stage
- Be flexible - have a plan B if plan A is not working out
- Write down classroom management strategies and reward systems that have worked for you in the past
end on a good note
At the end of your casual day, you want to make sure the classroom teacher is not left with more work than he/she has left you. You want to leave a good impression so that you will have a good chance of being called up to work again. Finish the day 10-15 minutes before the bell rings so you and the students are not rushing.
Before you and the students leave, make sure:
Before you and the students leave, make sure:
- all work is finished
- the room is neat and tidy
- students' bags are packed
- end the day on a positive note (e.g. reward with a game or song)
- you leave a note for the teacher that includes - what you have done for the day, your details (name and phone number), example of work you have used, names of students who misbehaved etc.
for more information:
Lyons, G., Ford, M. & Arthur-Kelly, M. 2011, Classroom Management: Creating positive learning envionrments, 3rd edn, Cengage Learning, Australia.
Casual Teaching Induction
http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-centre/school-careers/teaching/your-teaching-career/approved-teachers/casual-teacher-induction
An overview for Casual Teachers
http://www.teach.nsw.edu.au/documents/casteachertips.pdf
Special thanks to Ms Bronwyn Mehorter for her casual teaching tips.
Casual Teaching Induction
http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-centre/school-careers/teaching/your-teaching-career/approved-teachers/casual-teacher-induction
An overview for Casual Teachers
http://www.teach.nsw.edu.au/documents/casteachertips.pdf
Special thanks to Ms Bronwyn Mehorter for her casual teaching tips.